Chevron bookshelf

 

For all DIY crafters out there looking to experiment with fabric this bookshelf is an easy fun way to add color and textiles to your room. This shelf wasn't in bad shape but needed some sprucing up. Spackle and sanding were the first things on my list for this project. Then I gave it two coats of paint followed by a poly finish. The back was measured, cut and and primed white to brighten the fabric. I measured the fabric and stapled it to the plywood. Before attaching the back I added two coats of water based polycrylic to make it firm and durable. After nailing the back onto the shelf I added a piece of trim to frame it and make it look complete.

D.I.Y Chevron Wall Art

 

So I really needed some inexpensive wall art to match the very bright blue my boyfriend picked out for our living room walls. When I grabbed these frames from the side of the road I didn't think they were in such bad shape, but then again I do think that about much of the items I snatch up! ...  anyway... boy was I wrong! As I tore through the back and took them apart piece by piece they got worse and worse! Being an optimist I knew the outcome would be worth the effort and I plunged in!

 

First order of business was to put the frames back together... they literally fell apart as I took the back off. This was nothing a little glue and staples couldn't fix! When the glue was all dry I grabbed a dark grey (Rustoleum of course) spray paint and gave it two coats. While the paint dried I cleaned the glass and measured and cut the chevron fabric. The poem "You are my Sunshine" was actually part of my inspiration for this project so I went searching online for the perfect image. When I found them I printed them on glossy  photo paper. I replaced the backing with new (not moldy) cardboard and voila!

Spining Fabric Display

Extending a special Thank you to Kens Carpetland (in Springfield, MA) for this sweet addition to my studio.  For those of you who have a collection of fabric like I do, well this spinning beauty is such a great way to organize any upholstery room. I am now able to just spin this display around and choose what fabric inspires me versus digging through tote after tote! When organizing this display I found fabric I had no idea that I even had! Check with business that are remodeling or going out of business for great finds such as this!

D.I.Y CURTAINS with a money and time saving trick!

What You’ll Need

Fabric

Sewing thread

Measuring tape

Sharp scissors

Straight pins

Sewing machine

Iron and ironing board

 

To me having the right curtains really make a room. The hard part… they can be expensive! For as long as I can remember I have been making my own curtains. This really helps add some personality to a room. If you are a sewer this is a fairly easy thing to do.  I’ll go to Osgood’s since they have the largest selection of textiles!! (http://www.osgoodtextile.com) Or I can also recommend Joann’s (www.joann.com) since there is most likely one of these closer to you and they always have coupons available.

People like their curtains at different lengths (myself.. LONG!) so measure and then … measure again! Starting at the curtain rod measure to the length you’d prefer. (A big perk to making your own, you chose the length). Don’t forget to add about an inch on all sides so you can sew the hem. Depending on the type of curtain you are looking for your top (curtain rod pocket) may vary. If you are using rings that clip onto to your fabric (my favorite look) then treat the top as any other side BUT if you are NOT then you must add extra length so you can fold enough fabric over to make sure your curtain rod slides through easily. Now many people will also add a hem to the top as well before folding and sewing the curtain rod pocket. I DO NOT. I change out my curtains so often that I don’t mind saving time and skipping this step. It’s not a big deal because you can’t see it anyway (just try to cut straight) !

Now for making your hem: you are going to start folding over anywhere from ½” to 1’ for your hem (I like narrower hems) then using your pins and iron start to flatten and pin each side. You will first sew each side then you will go the bottom, the top I save for last. I highly recommend a sewing machine because sewing this by hand can take a very long time! Thread your machine and sew away!  

MONEY AND TIME SAVING TRICK

Now I’d also like to share with you another little MONEY and TIME SAVER! While shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond I ran across this shower curtain on the clearance rack that was once used as a display.

 

It was VERY cheap. Cheaper than buying fabric in fact! AND I only needed to hem two sides in which had to be cut to fit each window. So I not only saved money but time since they were already the length I love and less sewing needed!